The Ford Barn

cp5491r · 07-29-2012, 02:04 PM

I'm having trouble shifting my 31 coupe. After sitting several years, I got it running but as I started driving it, it was harder to get into and out of gear- like the clutch wasn't working. Even as I slowed down and put the clutch in, it was still in gear and I had to pull the gear shift lever into neutral so that I wouldn't drive through the end of my garage-
I put new 600W oil in (from Birdhaven), took the inspection plate off and sprayed just a little WD40 trying to get the to shaft in case it was gummy.
Now it won't go into gear at all when the car is running (just grinds the gears). With inspection plate off, the bearing seems to move back and forth fine with the clutch pedal engaged and off. Tried adjusting the clutch in both directions (clevis) but not better any direction.
Did the WD40 screw it up? Any ideas???
Thanks!

ford1 · 07-29-2012, 02:12 PM

it sounds like the clutch is stuck to the flywheel or on the trans main shaft, if stuck to the flywheel put car up against a big tree with the trans in high gear and try to get he clutch free up, if stuck to the main shaft you will need to find a way to get some type of lubricant on the shaft

J Franklin · 07-29-2012, 02:13 PM

Check the clutch release arm to see if it is not cracked and separating causing your problem. Brattons sell a steel replacement that is designed to ease clutch pressure by 30% on your leg.

Popeye31 · 07-29-2012, 02:16 PM

Sounds like you need a clutch. if its been sitting for a while and the flywheel and pressure plate is rusty you could have ate the cluch up in the first few shifts. than again the clutch disk could be frosen to the input shaft and flywheel. causing you not to be able to shift it . I dought the WD 40 caused any of the problems it woud burned off the clutch and pressure plate first drive you took.

Patrick L. · 07-29-2012, 02:45 PM

Before you get too nervous,, hold the clutch pedal down, put the monster in gear and rock the car.. You could also jack one rear wheel and drive the car and hit the brakes a few times.. If it comes loose, fine.. It may take a few miles of driving to get all the rust off and start operating smoothly..

cp5491r · 07-29-2012, 05:40 PM

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I rocked it back and forth and also jacked up the rear end and ran it. Seems to be shifting now. I adjusted the clutch to about 1" before engaging so I'm going to take it out for a test ride. Thanks to all and I'll let you know later tonight how she's driving.
Thanks again!!

cp5491r · 07-29-2012, 06:26 PM

It shifts but still not shifting all that smoothly. Still acts like the clutch isn't engaging all the way... Maybe more clutch adjustment???????

gunmetal blue · 07-29-2012, 06:44 PM

How does it shift with the coupe not running. Try greasing the throwout bearing.

J Franklin · 07-29-2012, 06:59 PM

how long have you been driving this car? or Model A's in general?

glenn in camino · 07-29-2012, 07:17 PM

Greasing the throwout bearing only greases the shaft it slides on, unless it's an early 28 with a multiple disk clutch.

cp5491r · 07-29-2012, 09:11 PM

This coupe (and a 30 Tudor) were both restored in the mid 80's by my father and me. Since my dad died in '87 and I was off in college and moving from state to state, they sat unused for most of the 30 years except for a few starts here and there by me to try to keep them going.
I just started driving this one again the last month after getting it running after several years of non-use.
I already greased the zerk on the throwout bearing.
The best lesson: Don't leave them sit! The tudor shifts fine but runs rough (I think manifold gasket has failed and it's sucking air). The Coupe runs much better, but has the shifting issue. It will be nice when they're both going great! My young kids love them.

cp5491r · 07-29-2012, 09:35 PM

By the way, it shifts fine when not running. Thanks for any additional suggestions!

Patrick L. · 07-30-2012, 05:55 AM

I'm not sure what you meant regarding your clutch adjustment.. There should be 1-1.5" of free-play.. Meaning that the clutch pedal should move freely with out any resistance or contact with the release bearing the 1-1.5" ..

cp5491r · 07-30-2012, 07:30 AM

Yes- It is about 1.5 inches now of pedal play. Maybe the clutch is going out...

Patrick L. · 07-30-2012, 12:15 PM

Before you get too nervous and start tearing the monster apart,, why not just drive it for awhile.. It'll take time for the clutch assembly to rub away all that rust.. If you feel the need to do something,, just remove the inspection cover and carefully and sparingly add just a bit of oil on the disk and input shaft splines.. This is a good place where less is more..

07-29-2012, 02:04 PM	#1
cp5491r Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Waukee, Iowa Posts: 107	Shifting Issue I'm having trouble shifting my 31 coupe. After sitting several years, I got it running but as I started driving it, it was harder to get into and out of gear- like the clutch wasn't working. Even as I slowed down and put the clutch in, it was still in gear and I had to pull the gear shift lever into neutral so that I wouldn't drive through the end of my garage- I put new 600W oil in (from Birdhaven), took the inspection plate off and sprayed just a little WD40 trying to get the to shaft in case it was gummy. Now it won't go into gear at all when the car is running (just grinds the gears). With inspection plate off, the bearing seems to move back and forth fine with the clutch pedal engaged and off. Tried adjusting the clutch in both directions (clevis) but not better any direction. Did the WD40 screw it up? Any ideas??? Thanks!

07-29-2012, 02:12 PM	#2
ford1 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: oroville ca. Posts: 1,554	Re: Shifting Issue it sounds like the clutch is stuck to the flywheel or on the trans main shaft, if stuck to the flywheel put car up against a big tree with the trans in high gear and try to get he clutch free up, if stuck to the main shaft you will need to find a way to get some type of lubricant on the shaft

07-29-2012, 02:13 PM	#3
J Franklin Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Oregon Posts: 5,963	Re: Shifting Issue Check the clutch release arm to see if it is not cracked and separating causing your problem. Brattons sell a steel replacement that is designed to ease clutch pressure by 30% on your leg.

07-29-2012, 02:16 PM	#4
Popeye31 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Kenner LA Posts: 248	Re: Shifting Issue Sounds like you need a clutch. if its been sitting for a while and the flywheel and pressure plate is rusty you could have ate the cluch up in the first few shifts. than again the clutch disk could be frosen to the input shaft and flywheel. causing you not to be able to shift it . I dought the WD 40 caused any of the problems it woud burned off the clutch and pressure plate first drive you took. __________________ Live your dreams

07-29-2012, 02:45 PM	#5
Patrick L. Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Largo Florida Posts: 7,225	Re: Shifting Issue Before you get too nervous,, hold the clutch pedal down, put the monster in gear and rock the car.. You could also jack one rear wheel and drive the car and hit the brakes a few times.. If it comes loose, fine.. It may take a few miles of driving to get all the rust off and start operating smoothly..

07-29-2012, 05:40 PM	#6
cp5491r Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Waukee, Iowa Posts: 107	Re: Shifting Issue Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) I rocked it back and forth and also jacked up the rear end and ran it. Seems to be shifting now. I adjusted the clutch to about 1" before engaging so I'm going to take it out for a test ride. Thanks to all and I'll let you know later tonight how she's driving. Thanks again!!

07-29-2012, 06:26 PM	#7
cp5491r Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Waukee, Iowa Posts: 107	Re: Shifting Issue It shifts but still not shifting all that smoothly. Still acts like the clutch isn't engaging all the way... Maybe more clutch adjustment???????

07-29-2012, 06:44 PM	#8
gunmetal blue Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Milford, Indiana Posts: 366	Re: Shifting Issue How does it shift with the coupe not running. Try greasing the throwout bearing.

07-29-2012, 06:59 PM	#9
J Franklin Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Oregon Posts: 5,963	Re: Shifting Issue how long have you been driving this car? or Model A's in general?

07-29-2012, 07:17 PM	#10
glenn in camino Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Camino, CA. Posts: 3,086	Re: Shifting Issue Greasing the throwout bearing only greases the shaft it slides on, unless it's an early 28 with a multiple disk clutch.

07-29-2012, 09:11 PM	#11
cp5491r Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Waukee, Iowa Posts: 107	Re: Shifting Issue This coupe (and a 30 Tudor) were both restored in the mid 80's by my father and me. Since my dad died in '87 and I was off in college and moving from state to state, they sat unused for most of the 30 years except for a few starts here and there by me to try to keep them going. I just started driving this one again the last month after getting it running after several years of non-use. I already greased the zerk on the throwout bearing. The best lesson: Don't leave them sit! The tudor shifts fine but runs rough (I think manifold gasket has failed and it's sucking air). The Coupe runs much better, but has the shifting issue. It will be nice when they're both going great! My young kids love them.

07-29-2012, 09:35 PM	#12
cp5491r Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Waukee, Iowa Posts: 107	Re: Shifting Issue By the way, it shifts fine when not running. Thanks for any additional suggestions!

07-30-2012, 05:55 AM	#13
Patrick L. Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Largo Florida Posts: 7,225	Re: Shifting Issue I'm not sure what you meant regarding your clutch adjustment.. There should be 1-1.5" of free-play.. Meaning that the clutch pedal should move freely with out any resistance or contact with the release bearing the 1-1.5" ..

07-30-2012, 07:30 AM	#14
cp5491r Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Waukee, Iowa Posts: 107	Re: Shifting Issue Yes- It is about 1.5 inches now of pedal play. Maybe the clutch is going out...

07-30-2012, 12:15 PM	#15
Patrick L. Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Largo Florida Posts: 7,225	Re: Shifting Issue Before you get too nervous and start tearing the monster apart,, why not just drive it for awhile.. It'll take time for the clutch assembly to rub away all that rust.. If you feel the need to do something,, just remove the inspection cover and carefully and sparingly add just a bit of oil on the disk and input shaft splines.. This is a good place where less is more..